Dance Instructor

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The West End House is a dynamic after-school youth development program dedicated to empowering young people through the arts. Our team values equity, inclusion, and a commitment to creating access to programs and spaces where every young person experiences a strong sense of belonging. We are looking for a passionate Dance Instructor to join our team and help youth explore their passion for dance while developing their skills and confidence. The Dance Instructor is a key member of the Visual & Performing Arts team - a team that is deeply committed to positive youth development and the transformative power of the arts.

The Dance Instructor will engage youth in high-quality programming in our state of the art Performing Arts Pavilion and advance our dedicated members to increasing levels of artistic skill. In this role, you will teach a variety of dance genres reflective of the diverse population we serve. A key component of this role will be using your talents to build close-knit relationships that will help youth remain engaged in programming. These relationships, in combination with reflections from program data, will enable you to adapt and grow the program to create the best outcomes for our members. The ideal candidate will be a well-rounded dancer and educator with experience and passion for working with youth in an urban setting.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and deliver engaging curricula for dance and movement classes, including Ballet, Contemporary, and Hip Hop, etc. tailored for youth ages 7-18 in both afterschool and summer programs.
• Create a welcoming environment that fosters creativity, inclusivity, and community.
• Create and organize performance opportunities for youth to showcase their growth and talent.
• Build and sustain partnerships with local dance institutions
• Assess and track youth skill progression to ensure continued growth
• Collect and report youth participation data, surveys, and other relevant information to guide organizational decisions
• Motivate and support West End House youth and teens in achieving their goals
• Collaborate with the youth development team to integrate dance into broader programming that encourages community engagement.
• Ensure that classes and performances promote equity, cultural awareness, and self-expression.

This is a part-time, non-exempt position, with a rate of pay between $40 - $50/hour, for 10-12 hours per week (number of days per week are negotiable). Work hours are primarily in the afternoon and early evening (Monday-Friday), with paid planning and administrative time in addition to instruction. Professional development and training opportunities are available to support continued growth. Proficiency in a second language is a plus.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

There are many ways to learn and excel professionally. We are aware that people gain skills through a variety of experiences and welcome your individual background. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to this work. With this in consideration, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate most of the qualifications and experiences listed below:

• 2+ years' experience teaching dance and movement to young people of various ages and abilities
• Proven track record of building trusting relationships with youth through empathy and robust communication skills
• Strong program facilitation skills and an understanding of classroom management
• A passion for dance as a vehicle for youth development